French grammar - The conjunction que |
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We previously saw que as an object relative pronoun (for example: La glace que tu veux.). It can also function as a conjunction to join two parts (clauses) of a sentence. -- In the same way as the English conjunction 'that' (for example: 'I think that I like it'). Que typically follows a verb and the second clause (with another verb) immediately follows it. Unlike in English, the que cannot (casually) be dropped between joined clauses. CAUTION: many verb + que pairs require the next clause be in the subjunctive mood. This will be covered in a later topic. -- For example il faut que… & je veux que… both require the next clause to be in the subjunctive. Verbs expressing thoughts and speech + que do not require a following subjunctive clause. |
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Je pense que tu as raison.
I think you (familiar) are right.
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Il pense qu'il m'aime.
He thinks he loves me. |
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Elle sait que vous êtes là.
She knows you (formal) are there.
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J'espère que tu vas mieux.
I hope you (familiar) are feeling better.
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Je pense que finalement, c'est fini.
I think it's finally over. |
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Elle se rend compte qu'elle fait un erreur.
She realizes that she is making an error.
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Je me rends compte qu'il n'y a pas d'essence dans la voiture.
I realize that there is no gas in the car.
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Est-ce que tu te rends compte que tu n'as plus d'argent ?
Do you realize that you (familiar) have no more money? |
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Je crois qu'il vient demain.
I believe he is coming tomorrow. |
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Il prétend qu'il est astronaute.
He claims he is an astronaut.
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J'entends que le président prend sa retraite.
I hear the president is retiring.
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Quand je lui demande, il me répond qu'il ne comprend pas.
When I ask him, he replies that he does not understand.
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Elle ment quand elle dit qu'elle ne sait pas où il est.
She lies when she says she doesn't know where he is. |
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Je vois que tu parles bien français.
I see that you (familiar) speak French well. |
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Sentez-vous que la tâche est trop difficile ?
Do you (formal) feel that the task is too difficult?
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Vous souvenez-vous qu'ils viennent de Grèce ?
Do you (formal) remember that they come from Greece?
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